Knoops (www.knoops.co.uk), the revolutionary, UK-founded drinks brand spearheading the high street chocolate drinks market, is opening two new iconic sites to lead its 2023 rollout. Knoops Knightsbridge is next in line to open on 3rd March. Knoops Manchester will follow shortly after, marking the brand’s first store in the North of England.
With ambitions to do for chocolate drinks what Starbucks did for coffee, the new store openings support the brand’s immediate plan to open 100 new UK stores in the next five years.
Knoops Knightsbridge, located at 130 Brompton Road on the corner of Montpelier Street, will host both indoor and outdoor seating. This will allow visitors to savour their personalised chocolate drink, whilst overlooking the iconic department store, Harrods. Serving drinks in-store and to takeaway, Knoops will also offer gifting products, marking it as a popular shopping destination in the neighbourhood.
Known as one the most popular neighbourhoods in London for high-end shopping, Knightsbridge is one of the most famous residential locations in Central London. The Knoops brand will appeal to all demographics, inviting in each visitor to enjoy their Knoops moment. Alongside its hot and cold drinks, Knoops will also offer a grab-and-go offering, perfect for workers in the local area seeking a light bite or sweet treat.
Knoops Manchester heralds the brand’s journey northward, marking its first store in the North of England. Located in the heart of Manchester at 68 Cross Street in a Grade II Listed building, Knoops will establish itself in the central retail district of the vibrant city. Knoops’ wide range of products and drink options will appeal to shoppers, families, students and tourists alike.
The brand, which specialises in crafting bespoke hot and cold chocolate drinks, continues to defy the ‘death of the high street’ narrative, with its rapid growth trajectory. Its multi-channel approach combines accessible and welcoming high street locations, alongside a retail arm, offering customers the ability to purchase its chocolate flakes both in-store and online. By leading with its extensive range of chocolate drinks, complemented by its coffee, Knoops continues to lead on revolutionising this concept – offering something new on the café scene.
Knoops is led by Executive Chairman, William Gordon-Harris who discovered the brand and its founder, international chocolatier, Jens Knoop.
Executive Chairman, William Gordon-Harris, says: “Expansion into the North of England is an incredibly significant step for the brand as I seek to lead our outstanding team with our global ambitions – starting first with a UK roll-out. Knoops is a true challenger brand and I see us becoming one of the fastest-growing on the UK’s high street. I’m also confident that we are at the infancy of one of the most interesting retail stories of our age, and that Knoops will become a leading global brand within a decade.”
Founder, Jens Knoop, says: “Seeing a new face light up as they discover our brand will never get old, and opening up in new locations across the UK is helping us to spread the message of Knoopology at a phenomenal rate. We’re creating a lasting impression in our current locations and already have many Mancunian fans of the brand from visits to other stores. Likewise, our products are already stocked in Harrod’s, so it’s fantastic to enhance our presence in Knightsbridge too.”
Visitors to each store can choose from the full range of chocolate percentages for their bespoke hot or cold chocolate experience. There are 20 different types to select, from a sweet, creamy 28% White all the way up to the deep, rich cocoa flavour of the 100% Extra Dark from the Solomon Islands. Knoops also has a diverse plant-based offering – all of the chocolates that are 54 percent and over are suitable for vegans. All stores offer bakery and small treats too. Shoppers can purchase gifts and keepsakes from the store and online, including Knoops Chocolate Flakes in tubes – many of which have won Great Taste Awards.
The two new store openings signal a significant and strong start to 2023 and support Knoops’ ambitious growth strategy which predicts 100 UK store openings in the next five years.
